A gorgeous deck can add living space to your home, help you get more fresh air and sunshine, and create a comfortable space for your friends and neighbors to gather on a beautiful day or summer evening! Earlier this spring we covered options for finishes for protecting and beautifying your deck. In this follow-up post we will cover our choice decking materials including tropical hardwoods, composites and more!

TREX DECKING
Using a unique combination of reclaimed wood and plastic, Trex decking and railing products provide the best qualities of both materials. The recycled plastic (from sources such as grocery bags and stretch film) shields the wood from moisture and insect damage so there’s no rotting, warping, or splintering. The wood in Trex comes is the waste product of a wood working factory! This decking does not need a finish, and is resistant to UV damage, and pests. Durable and low-maintenance, Trex will hold up and look great year after year. We have seven beautiful colors to choose from, as well as railing and light options to give your deck the perfect finishing touch.

Tigerwood Decking

TIGERWOOD – In-stock in Seattle and Portland
Our FSC-Certified Tigerwood Decking is gorgeous and durable. A dark red tone, with dark and light stripes throughout, this Tropical hardwood has a high structural rating and is very easy to maintain. Tropical hardwoods are dense and resinous woods, full of tannins that protect the wood against rot, so you don’t need a finish. The density of Tigerwood makes it extremely stable and resistant to warping. A deck made of Tigerwood has a 25-30 year life span – even without a finish!

Over time your Tigerwood deck will naturally weather to a silvery grey color. You can maintain the dramatic appearance of the new wood by applying a finish that offers UV protection such as Vermont Natural Coatings.

Western Red Cedar Decking

CEDAR DECKING – Coming soon to Seattle and PortlandWe will shortly be introducing Western Red Cedar decking to our West Coast locations. Naturally resistant to moisture, decay and insect damage, this is a beautiful and classic choice for decking. Western Red Cedar has twice the stability of most commonly available softwoods. It lies flat, stays straight, and holds fastenings tightly. This lightweight wood is easy to work with, and receptive to a wide variety of stains and finishes. Natural preservatives in the wood fiber make it strong against decay causing funghi, making it extraordinarily rot resistant.

With Earth Day right around the corner,Bloomberg Businessweek highlights Green Depot as an industry leader in the flourishing world of green building. The article covers the inspiring story of our founder Sarah Beatty, the burgeoning growth of the green building industry, and Sarah’s work with the American Sustainable Business Council fighting for safer chemical legislation.

Sometimes the changes in our global climate seem like so large of a problem that it can be hard to imagine how one individual, family, or community can make a difference. Do not be discouraged! There are actions that you can take this month in your home, apartment and office that can make an impact.
“How?” you ask…
Through improvements in energy efficiency!

+ Buildings in the United States contribute 38.9 percent of the nation’s total carbon dioxide emissions, including 20.8 percent from the residential sector and 18.0 percent from the commercial sector (2008).

+ Buildings accounted for 72 percent of total U.S. electricity consumption in 2006…

+ The annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. In the evening, the difference can be as high as 22°F (12°C)… One study estimates that the heat island effect is responsible for 5–10% of peak electricity demand for cooling buildings in cities.(Italics are ours, not the EPA’s)

As illustrated above, buildings (both residential and commercial) contribute greatly to energy use and carbon dioxide emissions which contribute, in turn, to climate change. Therefore, increasing the efficiency of our buildings should help slow the changes we’re seeing. Anyone who lives and or works in a building (i.e.: most Americans) has a place where they can (through direct action or influence) make a difference. Actions taken to conserve energy in our built environment have the dual benefits of fighting climate change and saving you (or your landlord, or your company) money on the electric bill.

Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas both big and small:

Caulk The Cracks:Sometimes even the smallest gaps can make a big difference. Running a bead of caulk around window and door frames helps stop drafts and save energy.

Cover the Fan:If small cracks make a difference, imagine what a 10″ hole can do! Stop unwanted energy loss through your exhaust fans. These magnetic covers are easy to put on and take off as needed.

Paint the Roof White:The heat island effect of cities can be greatly reduced by painting roofs white – this reflects the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them so buildings stay cooler.

Get Double Pane Performance:
Indow Windows interior inserts give you energy saving performance equivalent to replacement windows without the cost, hassle and waste of replacement and allow you to keep the charm of your originals.

Blow in Some Insulation: With cellulose insulation, you can add significant R-value to your walls without taking the house apart!

Whether you love throwing large backyard barbecue parties, or prefer lounging quietly in the sun with a good book, a beautiful deck is the foundation for enjoying your outdoor spaces at home. Winter is almost over and soon it will be prime deck-sitting time. In part-one of this two-part series we’ll give you some ideas for finishing your deck (whether it be a traditional wood, or an exotic species). In part two, we’ll talk about the different benefits of our decking options!

New Deck Finish: Osmo Deck Oils

Osmo Deck Oil is easy to apply (almost impossible to screw up, actually) and it will not flake, peel, blister or crack over time. This finish penetrates into the wood grain, strengthening it from within and allowing the wood to “breathe” as temperature and humidity fluctuate. It smooths the surface of the wood and protects it against damage from weather, water, beverage spills (wine, beer, soda pop, etc), and the colored versions even protect against damage from UV rays (the Clear “Teak” does not offer UV protection.) One of the other exceptional benefits of Osmo Deck Oil is that it is very easy to maintain. Should you decide that your deck could use another coat of finish, you don’t have to sand or apply a chemical stripper! Just clean the deck well, and then apply another coat of deck oil right on top of the old.

+ Will not crack, flake, peel or blister
+ Penetrates the wood grain and strengthens from within
+ Easy, “no-mistakes” application
+ Effective on exotic and domestic species
+ Great colors!

Refresh Your Existing Deck: Osmo Wood Reviver Power Gel

If you have a deck that is looking old and weathered but still has lots of structural life left in it, Osmo Wood Reviver Power Gel will bring back its good looks! With just one application, this innovative new product rejuvenates, revitalizes, refreshes, and returns resilience to exterior wood that has been dulled, grayed, and weathered. Osmo Wood Reviver Power Gel restores the natural character of exterior woodwork to near its original color, gently without damaging the wood grain. After treating your deck with the power gel, finish it with one of Osmo’s Deck Oils for long-lasting beauty.

+ Refreshes and cleans weathered wood decking and exterior furniture
+ Revives resilience and color without damaging wood
+ Ready to use, no need to mix or measure
+ Brush it on, wash it off

More Deck Products:

Vermont Natural Coatings:Using the strength of natural whey proteins and water-based resins, this finish is waterproof and provides protection against mildew, mold and harmful UV rays.

Are you thinking of remodeling your bathroom this year? Good news! It is now easier than ever to work sustainable and low-toxic elements into a bathroom renovation. From the flooring to the accessories, here are some examples of product choices to help you make your bathroom more healthy and more environmentally friendly. You will see that you don’t have to compromise style!

Water SavingsFor a sustainable bathroom remodel, water savings is “low-hanging fruit”. With just three simple fixture choices (toilet, shower head and faucet), your bathroom can become a paragon of water conservation. Caroma dual-flush toilets combine cutting-edge efficiency with stellar performance. These water saving fixtures have an average flush of just 1.2 gallons, and their 4″ trap practically eliminates clogs! For water savings in your shower, Oxgenics Shower Heads are designed to use up to 70% less water than standard fixtures while delivering an invigorating and spa-like shower experience. Finally, when considering the bathroom sink, one of the easiest ways to save water is to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth! You can also install an inexpensive faucet aerator to cut your use even further.

Caroma Somerton: This Dual-Flush fixture has an average flush of just 1.2 gallons. Water Sense Certified.

Oxygenics Shower Heads:A full-power shower head for spa-like experience – using 70% less water than normal showerheads!

Vanity and Surround
A gorgeous sustainable vanity is easy to achieve. Start with a base of cabinetry with no-added-formaldehyde and sustainably harvested materials like Executive or Bellmont Cabinets (pictured above). You can get the gorgeous lines and visual textures of marble or granite with an american-made countertop like Cambria,Vetrazzo or IceStone. These surfaces are durable enough to withstand the frequent cleaning and exposure to toothpaste, cleansers, and personal care products typical in the average bathroom while continuing to look great! Tile backsplashes, accents and tub-surrounds can provide splashes of color and offer an easy-to-clean surface. Choose a company that uses recycled content like Fireclay Tile or Oceanside that use post-consumer waste like recycled glass bottles and old toilets for their raw materials.

Fireclay Tile: A myriad of gorgeous styles and colors – made from recycled ceramic and glass in California.

Cambria Vanity Top: Twice as strong as granite, Cambria will resist most stains and is easy to clean.

Flooring
When choosing flooring for a bathroom one simple phrase rules: EASY TO MOP UP! Many people love the look and feel of tile on the floor of their bathroom which has the benefits of being very durable and generally easy to clean. Another classic choice for bathroom flooring is Marmoleum, a kind of classic linoleum. Completely PVC free, Marmoleum is made of Linseed oil, wood flour, wood resin, natural pigments and a jute backing. Unlike your grandmother’s linoleum, Marmoleum comes with three layers of factory finish and does not have to be waxed on a regular basis. It is also super for bathrooms because it comes in sheets (uninterrupted surface makes it easy to clean), it is naturally anti-microbial, and it comes in a vast array of colors so it can fit into any design. If you like the idea of using sheet flooring in your bathroom but want something new and a little different, Capri Sequel may be the option for you. This engineered combination of cork and rubber offers a subtle slip resistance and longevity.

Marmoleum: PVC-free and available in every color imaginable, Marmoleum comes in sheets and can even be inlaid

A great challenge for bathrooms, especially full bathrooms, is the potential for mildew growth. Fortunately there are some wall finishes that actually work to frustrate the growth of that unsightly and unhealthy stuff. American Clay, great for well ventilated bathrooms, is a dynamic and versatile earth plaster that is naturally resistant to mold growth. If standard paint is more to your liking, use Moldex or Yolo Colorhouse Paints which both contain mold-inhibiting ingredients.

Cleaning and AccessoriesOnce you’ve got the big renovation done, here are some products to keep the healthy, green theme going:

Grunge Buster Grout Brush:Made of recycled plastic and bamboo, this brush is perfect for cleaning tile AND hard-to-clean grout simultaneously.

Renovating a basement can be a great way to add living space to your home without the expense of building up or out! Here at Green Depot we have several products that lend themselves so well to this kind of project, you could almost say they were made for it! Because they are usually at least partially underground (below-grade) basements are often cold and even a little damp feeling, but they don’t have to stay that way.

Insulating your basement:

Tyroc Underlayment: Created for basement applicatons, this subfloor
paneling evens out small variances, acts as a vapor barrier and allows the cement under your flooring
to breathe. This subfloor is impervious to mold, mildew and moisture. Install your flooring of choice over it.

Nest Radiant Barrier Insulation: This reflective insulation blanket adds an R value of 12.5 with just 1/4 inch of material. A water proof vapor barrier, moisture will not affect the insulating qualities. Reflects warmth back into your basement.

Ultratouch Cotton Insulation: Made from cotton, this insulation is pest, mold and fire resitant. Available in a range of R values Ultratouch adds a cozy cotton blanket to your basement without any fiberglass, or formaldehyde.

Cork Flooring: Made from a rapidly renewable resource, cork floors are warm, resilient and comfortable underfoot. This natural flooring is durable, quiet, and comes in a wide range of styles and applications.

Wool Carpet: Few materials invite you to take your shoes off and feel cozy like wall to wall carpeting can. Wool carpets bring warmth, style and comfort without the need for chemical stain masters and flame retardants that can offgas, plus wool is a fast growing, renewable fiber!

YOLO Colorhouse Paints: Basements tend to be short on natural light, so the warmth and vibrance provided by their designer colors makes YOLO a great choice for a refinished basement. In addition to a harmonious palette, all YOLO paints are intrinsically mold and mildew resistant whatever color or sheen you choose.

Complete the job with a couple of essential appliances to maintain the comfort of your new living space:

BioSmart Heaters: Infrared heat is perfect in a basement because it creates a much cozier feeling than more common heaters. The unique shorter wavelength is a penetrating, direct source of heat, much like the sun. BioSmart heaters heat the space evenly from floor to ceiling – warming up the objects rather than simply the air.

Austin Air FIlters:Keep your new basement living space feeling clean and comfortable with a high quality air filter that will help control dust, mold spores, chemicals, pet dander, odors and more!

If you are thinking of finishing your basement – whether for extra guest space or craft space, an office or a game room, the healthy and environmentally friendly materials above will contribute to making your space comfortable and inviting. Work with a contractor to be sure that your basement is suitable for renovation (no leaks), and that you have the proper building permits as required in your area. A contractor will also know the proper tools for framing in a concrete setting – which can be a little tricky.

Click here for a helpful post about basement renovations on Diynetwork.com!